'93 Buick Century Service Engine Soon Light{Hesitation}

:headshake We have a 1993 Buick Century 3.3L 6 Cyl. We've had this car for about 4 months. Ever since we've had the car, there is a problem that concerns me, that didn't happen very often before, but is increasing with time. Let me explain:

While going the speed limit (approx. 65 mph), the SERVICE ENGINE SOON light will come on. Most of the time, but not all, when the light comes on, the car has a hesitation problem when you put on the gas. No other time is there hesitation. Now, sometimes, if you drop to about 55, it will go off....but this doesn't work all the time.

Now, when we first got the car and saw this, we had an engine diagnostic done. First, there was a gas leak (had it fixed) and the O2 Sensor was bad, causing it not to pass any smog if needed be....so we took it back to the lot and they said they fixed it....but the SERVICE ENGINE SOON light still comes on in the above conditions.

The light will NEVER come on in town, when keeping lower speeds. It's on the freeway that this occurs.

Any ideas? :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:


Thanks.


DreamerSpawn

perhaps the plugs are old?

Your best approach to this is to get the vehicle scanned at a different place. The codes that you get out of it will give us a good clue at to where the problem is. Also, codes can be pulled out by jumping the A & B terminal of the ALDL connector under the dash. Good luck.

I could almost guess you have a lean or rich code stored in your computer. For some unknown reason I bet your light doesn't come on till you get past 12 miles on the highway!


Changing the O2 sensor was a guess. It can cause your problem, its not a bad idea to change it. If you get codes out of the computer we can help you some more.

Your best approach to this is to get the vehicle scanned at a different place. The codes that you get out of it will give us a good clue at to where the problem is. Also, codes can be pulled out by jumping the A & B terminal of the ALDL connector under the dash. Good luck.

Okay, and what codes would I be getting, and where? Please keep in mind I'm no mechanic....but do have a few skills.


DreamerSpawn

When you put a piece of wire across terminals A & B at the ALDL connector and turn the ignition on ( do not start ) the check engine light will flash. It will start with a code 12. One flash and two quick flashes is code 12. A slight pause and the next code will flash. You got to count the flashes. At the end, it will flash code 12 again. Post the codes here and we will try and help you.

The true reason fer it FINALLY rang true and thru! It was the Harmonic Balancer (or Vibration Damper) that was causing most of the problems. LOL! Talk about a run around. Anyhow, it's getting fixed as we speak. Took this long to figure it out....just had to get her to the RIGHT mechanic is all.


DreamerSpawn